Machine for shaping uppers over lasts



1936. R. w. CUMMINGS ET AL 2,040,124

MACHINE FOR SHAPING UPPERS OVER LASTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1933 I l I l I I 1 R. w. CUMMINGS ET AL 2,040,124

' 'MACHINE FOR SHAPING UPFERS OVER LAST S Filed Dec. 14, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 R. w. CUMMINGS ET AL MACHINE FOR SHAPING UPPERS OVER LASTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 14, 1935 Patented May 12, 1936 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR SHAPING UPPERS OVER LASTS Roy W. Cummings and Lloyd G. Knowles, Beverly, and Andrew Eppler, Jr.,

Swampscott,

Mass, assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 14, 1933, Serial No. 702,412

43 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes, and more particularly to machines having means for shaping shoe upper materials over lasts. The invention is herein shown as embodied in a machine having means for lasting the opposite sides of shoes between their toe and heel-end portions, and adapted more particularly for operating upon shoes in the manufacture of which the upper materials at the opposite sides are secured in lasted position by cement, although it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the manufacture of that kind of shoe, nor limited in respect to the portion of the shoe upon which the operation is performed.

In the illustrated machine there is provided, in accordance with a feature of the invention, a novel organization of means for shaping uppers over lasts comp-rising a flexible lasting device, herein shown as a rubber apron which by engagement with the upper from its toe-end portion to its heel-end portion draws the upper tightly over the last, and fluid pressure means for conforming said lasting device to the shape of the last as the upper is worked over the last and for thereafter operating it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it uponthe insole. In the construction shown, the rubber apron is arl ranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and is, in turn, supported at opposite sides of the last by carriers which are movable bodily upward, by power operated means, to stretch the apron over the last and thus to cause it by frictional contact with the upper to draw the upper tightly over the last. As herein shown also these carriers are movable inwardly over the insole, at the completion of their upward movements, about an axis located below the last to increase the tension of the apron about the upper and last, the last being supported, in the illustrated construction, against the pull of the apron by holddowns arranged to engage the bottom I face of the insole at opposite ends of the last.

For purposes of the present invention the rubber apron, as herein shown, is chambered at opposite sides of the last to receive fluid under pressure and to be expanded thereby and is provided with upper-pressing portions which, as the apron is expanded, act to press the upper into conformity to the shape of the last, the fluid pressure means acting, as the apron is stretched heightwise of the last, progressively to increase the pressure ofthe apron on the upper and thus to increase its frictional pull on the upper. In order to render the fluid pressure means effective to operate the apron in such manner as to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole firmly enough to adhere to the insole, there is provided, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, means movable into position over the insole to enclose the upper portions of the apron and thus to confine it against excessive expansion heightwise of the last away from the insole. As illustrated, this means comprises members arranged to be moved by the above-mentioned carriers inwardly over the insole into interlocking relation to each other so that the upper-pressing portions of the apron, as the apron is expanded by the fluid pressure, will stretch inward to lay and press the marginal portions of the upper effectively upon the insole.

The invention further provides novel means operative by fluid pressure to clamp the upper to the sides of the last near the top of the last so as to prevent distortion of these portions of the upper heightwise of the last as the upper is drawn tightly over the last. As shown, the elastic apron is provided with a. lower portion ar ranged to extend across the top face of the last, this lower portion being chambered and expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper near the 7 top face of the last against the last. For preventing excessive expansion of the chambered lower portion of the apron in directions away from the last there is provided, in the construction' shown, a rigid member shaped similarly to and arranged to engage the lower portion of the apron.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, there is provided automatic means for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to the expansible apron and release of the fluid therefrom. The machine herein shown is provided with conduits connected to the upper and lower chambers of the apron and with a pair of levers connected by conduits to a source of supply of pressure fluid, these levers being provided with valves held normally in closed positions but arranged to be opened by means carried by the first-named conduits as the levers are swung in directions to connect the conduits together. As illustrated, the construction is such that the levers are held normally with the conduits disconnected, automatic means being provided for imparting to the levers their swinging movements to connect the conduits together and open the valves substantially at the beginning of the upward movements of the carriers. In accordance with another feature of the invention there is provided means for regulating the flow of pressure fluid to the upper chambers of the apron, this means being herein shown as a valve adjustable to permit suflicient pressure fluid to be admitted to the upper chambers of the apron to expand the apron into conformity to the shape of the last and thus progressively to increase the pressure of the apron on the upper and its frictional pull on the upper as the carriers are lifted, without causing any substantial stretching of the upper pressing portions of the apron at this stage in the operation of the machine. The machine herein shown is constructed to utilize compressed air'as the pres sure fluid, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of fluid of that character.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section of a machine in which the invention is embodied, showing the machine as it appears at an intermediate stage in the cycle of operations;

Fig. 2 is a section of the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the pressure fluid controlling means;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V. of Fig. 2 showing the positions of the parts at the completion of. the upper tensioning operation; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the positions of the parts with the shoe under pressure at the completion of the lasting operation.

For lasting the opposite sides of shoes the machine herein shown is provided with a lasting member or apron 2,0 of flexible elastic material, preferably rubber, which is suspended from a pair of carriersor levers 22, 24to form a slinglike support for a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and. an insole thereon. The apron 20 is secured to the upper ends of the carriers 22, 24 by clamps 26, 28 and clamp screws 30, 32, the clamps being also secured to the carriers by screws 34, 36. Asshown particularly in Fig. 2, the apron 20 is arranged to extend across the top face of the last and. to

.engage the upper at opposite sides of the shoe between its .toe and heel-end portions which may be and, as illustrated, have been lasted before the shoe is presented to the machine. For purposes of this invention the apron 20 is provided with a lower chamber 38 and with upper chambers 42, 44, Figs..1, 5 and 6, for receiving fluid under pressure, the lower chamber 38 being separated at opposite sides of the shoe from the upper chambers 42,, 44 by ribs 46 which extend lengthwise of the shoe at opposite sides thereof just above the top face of the last and, as shown, are shaped somewhat. in accordance with the longitudinal curvature of the bottom of the last. The lower and upper, chambers of the apron 20 have connected thereto respectively flexible pipes or conduits 48, 50 through which the pressure fluid is admitted and exhausted in time relation to other operations by means which will presently be described.

In the operation of the machine the flexible elastic apron 20 is moved heightwise of the last,

by means hereinafter described, to cause it by frictional contact with the upper to draw the upper tightly over the last which is supported against the upward pull of the apron by holddowns 52, 54 arranged to engage the bottom face of the insole and the overlaid margin of the upper at the opposite ends of the last. The holddowns 52, 54 are pivotally connected respectively to the lower ends of rods 56, 58 which are slidably mounted for movements in directions heightwise of the last in blocks 60, 62 slidably mounted for movements in directions lengthwise of the last in a bracket 6Q which is secured to the frame 61 of the machine. Surrounding the rods 56, 58 between the blocks 60, 62 and heads 66, 68 formed on the upper ends of the rods, are springs 10, 12 which tend to urge the rods upwardly. Pivotally connected to the blocks 60, 62, respectively, are pawls T8, 88 which are spring urged in directions to engage any one of a number of ratchet teeth 82, 84 formed respectively on the rods 56, 58 and to lock the holddowns 5.2, 54 in engagement, with the bottom face of the shoe. The pawls 78, 80 are each provided with an outwardly and. upwardly extending tail portion 86 by means of which they may be swung by the operator out of engagement with the ratchet teeth to permit the springs l0, 12 to move the holddowns upwardly away from the shoe bottom. A rod 8.8, having oppositely threaded portions, extends through the blocks 60, 62 and has secured to its outer end a hand wheel 98 by means of which it may be rotated to move the blocks 60, 62 and the holddowns 52, 54 toward or from each other in directions lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes,

of different sizes.

The carriers 22, 24' to which the upper ends of the apron 20 are clamped are pivoted at 92 below the apron, Figs. 1 and, 2, to levers 94. which are fulcrumed at 96 to the frame 61 of the machine. Each lever 94 carries acam roll I which is arranged to engage a power cam I02 formed on a cam wheel I04 fast. to. a cam shaft I06 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame 61. The configuration of the cams I02 is such that at a predetermined time in the cycle of'the shaft 106 the levers 94 are swung in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) to move the carriers 22, 24 upwardly and with them the apron 20 heightwise of the last. As the apron 20 is moved heightwise of the last it is stretched more or less over the last and thus acts through frictional contact with the upper at opposite sides of the last to draw or tension the upper over the last and to work it toward the edge ofthe insole. Substantially at the beginning of the upward movement of the apron, as hereinafter more fully explained, it is expanded somewhat by the admission of pressure fluid to its upper chambers 42, 44 to cause the apron to press the upper better at opposite sides of the last into conformity to the shape of the last and to increase the friction between the apron and the upper. At the same time pressure fluid is admitted to the lower chamber 38 to cause the apron to clamp the upper near the top of the last against the sides of the last to prevent distortion of these portions of the upper heightwise of the last. In order that the fluid pressure means will be immediately eifective to conform the apron 20 to the shape ofthe last, the lower and upper chambers of the apron are provided respectively with relatively thin upper pressing walls 45, 41' (Figs. 1, and 6). To prevent excessivejexpansion of the apron 20 in directions away from the last. as its lower chamber 38 is expanded, there is secured to the frame 61 a bracket 65 provided with a rib 98 which is shaped similarly to the lower portion of the apron and extends upwardly at opposite sides of the apron as far as the ribs 46.

Each carrier 22, 24, Fig. 1, has pivotally connected to it at II2, one member II4 of a toggle the other member II6 of which is pivotally connected at I I8 to the frame 61. The toggle members H4, H6 are pivotally connected at I20 to each other and to the upper end of a link I22 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected at I24 to one end of a lever I26. Each lever I26 is fulcrumed at I28 to the frame of the machine and carries a roll I30 which is arranged to engage a path cam I32 formed in the cam wheel I04. As the carriers. 22, 24 move upwardly the cams I32 act to swing the levers 26 about their fulcrums to impart upward movement to the links I22 to prevent the carriers 22, 24 from swinging outwardly, after which, as the carriers 22, 24 complete their upward movements, further swinging movements in the same direction are imparted to the levers I26 by the cams I32 to straighten the toggles i I4, 4 l6 and thus to impart inward swinging movements to the carriers. Since the carriers are pivoted for swinging move- .ments about an axis located below the last supported by the apron 20, the apron is additionally tensioned heightwise of the last as the carriers 22, 24 are swung toward each other to carry the upper ends of the apron inwardly over the insole. As the carriers 22, 24 are swung inwardly from the positions shown in Fig. l to the positions shown in Fig. 5 the clamps 26, 28 which, as shown, are provided with interlocking edges, act to enclose the upper ends of the apron 20 and thus to confine it against excessive expansion in directions heightwise of the last away from the insole when the fluid pressure means acts, as more fully explained hereinafter, to operate the apron to lay the marginal portion of the upper, at opposite sides of the last, inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the, insole.

The flexible conduit 48 is connected at its upper end to a duct I34 leading to the lower chamber 38 of the apron 26 (Fig. 2). At its lower end the conduit 48 is secured to the upper end of a tube I 38 which is threaded into a block I49 secured to the frame of the machine. The block I40 is provided with a passage I4l arranged to connect the tube I38 with a second tube 442 which extends outwardly beyond the outer face of the block I40 and is surrounded by a rubber gasket I44, Fig. 3. The flexible conduits 56 are connected at their upper ends to ducts I 36 which lead to the upper chambers 42, 44 of the apron. In order that fluid under pressure may be admitted simultaneously to the upper chambers 42, 44, there is threaded into the block I46, Figs. 3 and 4, a tube I46 having a pair of upwardly extending arms I48 to which the lower ends of the conduits 50 are secured. As shown, particularly in Fig. 4, the block I40 is provided with a passage I43 from which extends beyond the outer face of the block a tube I45, which tube is surrounded by a rubber gasket I41. A second passage I49 in the block I40 connects with the tube I46 and is separated from the passage !43 by an inclined rib I5I. A port I 53 in the rib I5I is arranged to serve as a seat for a needle valve I55 which may be adjusted toward or from the seat (to regulate the flow of pressure fluid through the conduits 50 to the upper chambers 42, 44 of the apron 20) by a threaded spindle I51. The spindle I51 is provided with a knurled head I59 for turning it and extends through a nut I6I threaded on the upper end of a boss I 63 on the block I40. Between the upper surface of the boss I63 and the nut there is provided a leather washer I65. From the above description it will be seen that by adjustment of the needle valve I55 the flow of pressure fluid through the conduits 56 to the upper chambers 42, 44 of the apron may be regulated to control the rate of expansion of the upper chambers of the apron.

For controlling the admission and exhaustion of air under pressure to and from the chambers 38, 42, 44 of the apron 20 through the flexible conduits 48, 50, there are provided, Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of levers I50, I52 pivoted at I54, to the frame of the machine and having downwardly extending arms I56, I58 carrying rolls I60, I62 arranged to engage power cams I64, I66 formed in a cam member I68 which is fast to the outer end of the cam shaft I06. Each lever has an upwardly extending arm I10, Fig. 4, provided with a passage I12 connected by a flexible conduit E13 to a supply of compressed air and each passage I12 is closed at its inner end by a valve I14. As

shown, each valve I 14 has a stem I16 which is surrounded by a rubber washer I11 the inner side face of which forms a seat for the valve. At a predetermined time in the cycle of the shaft 406 the cams I64, I66 act to swing the levers I50,

52 toward the block I40 and to press them against the rubber gaskets I44, I41 which surround the projecting ends of the tubes I42, I45 in the block to provide air-tight joints. As the levers I50, I52 are swung toward the block E40 the valves I14 are opened by the engagement of their stems I16, with pins I18 carried by the tubes I42, I45 (Fig. 4) thereby permitting air under pressure to be admitted to the chambers 38, 42, 44 of the apron 20 through the flexible conduits 48, 50. As the levers I50, I52 are swung in the oppositedirections the tubes I42, I45 are uncovered thereby permitting the air to be exhausted from the chambers of the apron, each valve I14 being closed as. the levers I50, I 52 are swung away from the block I40 by the pressure of the air in the passage I12, against a shoulder I on the valve.

For operating the cam. shaft I96 there is provided a driving shaft I82 to which there is secured a sleeve I84 carrying a gear I86 the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a gear I88 formed on the rear cam block I04. The driving shaft I82 is supported at the front of the machine by a bearing I90 carried by the frame 61 and at the rear of the machine by a bracket I92 which is secured to the frame 61 by clamp screws I94 and is provided with a rearwardly extending hollow spindle I96 through which the shaft I82 extends. Rotatably mounted on the spindle I96 is a pulley 200 which is connected by a belt 202 to a pulley 204 continuously driven by an electric motor 206 mounted within the frame 61 of the machine. The pulley 200 is formed to serve as one member of a clutch the other member 208 of which is fast to the outer end of the driving shaft I82. The bracket I92 has formed thereon a brake surface 2I0 which is arranged to be engaged, when the machine is to be stopped, by a brake disk 2I2 carried by the sleeve I84. The sleeve I84 is provided with a circumferential groove 2:4 arranged to be engaged by rolls 2I6, 2I8, Fig. 1, carried by the depending arms 220, 222, of a lever 224 loosely journaled on a shaft 226 which is mounted in bearings in the frame 6,! and extends transversely of the machine between the driving shaft I82 and the cam shaft I06, Fig. 2. A spring 228 connected at one end to the frame of the machine and at the other end to the arm 220 of the lever 224 tends to swing the lever 224 in a direction to move the sleeve I84-and driving shaft I 82 forwardly and to hold the clutch members 280, 246 in engagement. Pivotally connected to the arm 222 of the lever 224 is a latch 230 which is connected by a link 232 to a treadle 234 fulcrumed at 236 to the base of the-machine. A spring 233 connected at one endto the treadle and at the other end to the base acts, when permitted, to swing the treadle upwardly and to hold the latch 230 in operative relation to thev downwardly extending arm 240 of a lever 242 fast to the shaft 226. The lever 242 hasan upwardly extending arm 244 carrying a roll 246 arranged to engage a power cam 248 fast to the cam shaft I06. that near the end of the cycle of the camshaft I06 a sufficient clockwise movement, Fig. 2, is imparted to the lever 242 to permit the spring 238 to move the latch 230 upwardly into operative relation to the end of the arm 240 of the lever 242, after which the cam 248 acts to swing the lever 242 in a counterclockwise direction and to move the lever 224 through the latch 23?] in a direction to impart rearward movement to the sleeve I84 and the shaft I82 thereby disconnecting the clutch members 200, 208 and moving the brake disk 2I2 into engagement with the brake surface 2 I0 to stop the operation of the machine at the end of the cycle of the camshaft I06. Depression of the treadle 234- acts to swing the latch 230 downwardly out of engagement with the end of the arm 24!) to permit the spring 228 to swing the lever 224 in a direction to impart forward movement to the sleeve I84 and the shaft I82, thereby moving the brake disk 2,I2 out of engagea ment with the brake surface 2I0 and moving the clutch member 208 into engagement with the driving clutch member 200 to start the operation of the machine.

In the operation of the machine briefly summarized, the operator, after adjusting the lengthwise positions of the holddowns 52, 54 for thesize of shoe to be operated upon, places a last and shoe in the apron 20 and. lowers the rods 56, 58 to move the holddowns into engagement with the opposite ends of the shoe. Before the shoe is presented to the machine, in accordance with the illustrated practice, its toe and heel ends will have been previously lasted and a suitable adhesive, such as latex or pyroxylin cement, will have been applied to the margins of the, upper materials and also, if desired, to the margin of the insole along the opposite sides of the shoe.

After the shoe has been mounted in the machine as above described the operator depresses the treadle 234 to move the latch 230 out of engagement with the downwardly extending arm 242 of the lever 242 to permit the spring 228. to move the sleeve E84 forwardly to start the operation of the machine. At the beginning of the operation of the machine the carriers 22, 24 are moved bodily upward by the action of the cams I82 on the levers 94 to move the apron relatively to the last in a direction heightwise of the last, the apron being stretched somewhat as it is moved upwardly so that it acts by frictional contact with the upper to draw the upper tightly-over the last. It will be understood that the shoe and last are held against the upwarclpull of the apron-by the.

The configuration of the cam 248 is such,

holddowns 52, 54 which are locked in shoe supporting positions by the pawls I8, 80. Substantially at the same time the cams I64, I66 act to swing the levers I50, I52 toward the block I40 to connect the conduits I13 with the conduits 48, 50 and to open the valves I14 to permit air under pressure to be admitted simultaneously to the chambers 38, 42, 44 of the apron 20. It will be understood that the flow of pressure fluid to the upper chambers 42, 44 of the apron may be controlled by adjustment of the needle valve I55. Preferably the needle valve is so adjusted that sufficient pressure fluid will be admitted to the upper chambers 42, 44 at the beginning of the upward movement of the apron to insure efiective frictional engagement of the apron with the upper and to cause it to press the upper into conformity to the sides of the last. Thereafter, during the further upward movement of the apron the pressure fluid serves progressively to increase the pressure of the apron on the upperand thus to increase its frictional pull without causing the upper pressing walls 41 of the upper chambers to stretch inwardly over the insole to any substantial extent.

As the apron 20 is stretched by the upward movement of the carriers 22, 24, the fluid pressure means acts through the apron in the lower chamber 38 to clamp portions of the upper near the top of the last against the sides of the last with sufficient pressure to prevent distortion of these portions of the upper heightwise of the last. Substantially at the time when the carriers 22, 24 complete their upward movements they are swung inwardly by the straightening of the toggles I I4, II6 through the action of the cams I32 on the levers I26. As the carriers move inwardly the apron 20 is additionally stretched over the last as its upper ends are carried inwardly over the insole and enclosed by the clamps 26, 28 which are moved into interlocking relation with each other by the inward movements of the carriers, the clamps thus acting to confine the apron against excessive expansion heightwise of the last in directions away from the insole. It will be seen that as the apron is additionally tensioned over the last by the inward movements of the carriers 22, 24, the tension of the upper over the last is increased as it is drawn more tightly over the rounded lateral faces of the last. After the clamps 26, 28 have been moved into interlocking relation with each other (Fig. 5), continued expansion of the apron causes the upper-pressing walls 41 of the upper chambers 42, 44. to stretch inward to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole in position to adhere thereto through the action of cement and to press it firmly upon the insole as shown in Fig. 6. After the upper chambers 42, 44 of the apron have been fully expanded to press the marginal portion of the upper into firm adherence to the insole, the levers I50, I52 are swung by the cams I64 and I66 in a direction to uncover the tubes I42, I45 in the block I40 to permit release of the pressure fluid from the upper and lower chambers of the apron, after which the cams I32 act to swing the levers I26 downwardly to break the toggles I I4, I I 6 and thus to swing the carriers 22, 24 outwardly. The cams I02 are so shaped that after the carriers 22, 24 have been moved outwardly they are permitted to be moved downwardly by the elasticity of the apron 20. The operator then swings the pawls I8, outwardly to unlock the rods 56, 50 and to permit the springs I0, 12 to move the holddowns52, 54 upwardly to release the shoe so that it may be removed from the machine. The machine is finally brought to a stop in a starting position by the action of the cam 248.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a lasting machine, a device arranged to act frictionally on an upper mounted on a last, power-operated mechanism for effecting automatically predetermined relative movement of said device and the last in a direction heightwise of the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last in response to the frictional pull of said device on the upper, and fluid pressure means for operating said device thereafter to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole.

2. In a lasting machine, a device, arranged to act frictionally on an upper mounted on a last, power-operated mechanism for effecting automatically predetermined relative movement of said device and the last heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last, and fluid pressure means automatically operative in predetermined time relation to said mechanism for progressively increasing the pressure of said device on the upper during said relative movement to increase its frictional pull on the upper and for thereafter operating it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last.

3. In a lasting machine, a flexible apron arranged toact frictionally on an upper mounted on a last, mechanism comprising different members for controlling said apron and last respectively and for effecting relative movement of said apron and the last in a direction heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure substantially at the completion of said relative movement to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole.

4. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron for engaging an upper frictionally at the side of a last, mechanism comprising different members for controlling said apron and last respectively and for effecting relative movement of said apron and the last heightwise of the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last by a frictional pull on the upper, and fluid pressure means for expanding said apron during said relative movement to cause it to force the upper better into conformity to the shape of the last.

5. In a lasting machine, a flexible apron for engaging an upper frictionally at the side of a last, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said apron and the last heightwise of the last to cause said apron by frictional contact with the upper to draw it tightly over the last, and fluid pressure means automatically operative in predetermined time relation to said mechanism for forcing said apron against the upper with increasing pressure during said relative movement and for thereafter operating it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last and to press the upper against the insole.

6. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member constructed and arranged to act frictionally on an upper mounted on a last and to be moved heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last before the marginal portion of the upper is laid inwardly over an insole on the last, said member being chambered and expansible by fluid pressure and having an upper-pressing wall conformable thereby to the shape of the last and an edge portion extending above said chambered portion, and a member connected to said edge portion for imparting to said lasting member its heightwise movement.

7 In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic member for engaging an upper frictionally at the side of a last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to conform the upper to the shape of the last, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said member and the last in a direction heightwise of the last to cause it by frictional contact with the upper to work the upper toward the bottom face of the last and for moving said member inwardly over an insole on the last only after said relative movement has been substantially completed, and fluid pressure means for expanding said member during said relative heightwise movement to increase the pressure of said member on the upper and for further expanding said member after the completion of its inward movement by said mechanism to cause it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

8. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to receive a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions into conformity to the shape of the last, means for engaging the bottom face of the insole, and supporting mechanism for said lasting member constructed to impart to it a movement heightwise of the last relatively to said insole-engaging means to cause said member by frictional contact with the upper to work it tightly over the last.

9. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to receive a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to work the upper at opposite sides of the last by frictional contact therewith heightwise of the last in response to relative movement of the apron and the last before the marginal portion of the upper is laid inwardly over the insole, said apron being chambered and expansible by fluid pressure to force the upper into conformity to the shape of the last during said relative movement, and mechanism comprising different members for controlling said apron and last respectively and for effecting said relative movement.

10. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to work the upper by frictional contact therewith at opposite sides of the last heightwise of the last in response to relative movement of the apron and the last, said apron being chambered and expansible by fluid pressure to conform the upper to the shape of the last during said relative movement and then to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole, and means movable into position over the insole at the completion of said relative movement to confine said apron against excessive expansion in directions heightwise of the last away from the insole.

11. In a lasting machine, a flexible apron arranged to receive a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to act frictionally on the upper to work it heightwise of the last in response to relative movement. of the apron and the last heinwardly over the insole, means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to clamp the upper tothe last near the top of the last to prevent distortion of the clamped portions of the upper heightwise of the last, and separate means for operating said "apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal porftion 'of the upper inwardly over the'insole and to press it upon the insole.

I2. "In a lastingmachine, a flexible apron arranged to support a last presented by the operaftor bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereomand to act frictionally on the upper at opposite sides of the last to work the upper heightwis'e'o'f the last in response to relative movement of the apron and the last, said apron having a chambered lower portion arranged to extend across the top face of the last and expansible by fluid pressure to clamp the upper to the sides of the last near the top of the last to prevent distortion of the clamped portions of the upper heightwise f -the last and chambered upper portions extending-lengthwise of the last between its toe and heel-end portions and expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the shape of the last during the relative movement of the apron and the last.

13. In "a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member o'f 'elastic material arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and'an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, said member having a chambered lower portion extending across the top face of thelast and'inflatable by fluid pressure to clamp the upper against the last near the top of the last and chambered upper portions inflatable by fluid pressure to press'the upper into conformity to the shape of thelast, and mechanism for effecting relative movement of said member and the last heightwise ofthe'last to cause said member by frictional contact with the upper to 'draw'it tightly over the last while holding the upper near the top of the last against distortion heightwise of the last. MI In a'lasting machine, an expansible lasting "member of elastic material arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage 'the upper at opposite sides of the last between its'toe and heel-end portions, mechanism to whichthe opposite marginal portions of said lasting member are secured at the sides of the las'tifor moving said member'relatively to the last in a direction heightwise 'of the lastto cause said member by frictional contact with'the upper to draw it tightly over the last, and fluid pressure means for expanding said member substantially -'at the beginning of its heightwise movement'to cause said member to press the upper into conformity to the shape of the last, said means being arranged progressively-to increase the pressure of 'said-member'on the upper during said heightwisemovement to increase its frictional pull on the :upper.

15. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act frictionally on the upper at opposite sides of the last to work the upper heightwise of the last before the marginal portion of the upper is laid inwardly over the insole, said apron having a chambered lower portion arranged to extend across the top face "of the last and expansible by fluid pressure to -"2,o4"o,=1 '21 'ifof 17 1 nal portion of the upp r isjlaid clamp the upper to the sides of the last near the top of the last to prevent distortion of the clamped portions of the upper heightwise of the last, and chambered upper portions expansible independently of the lower portion to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole.

16. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, members connected to said apron at the opposite sides of the last for moving the apron heightwise of the last to cause the apron by frictional contact with the upper to draw it tightly over the last, means for engaging the bottom face of the insole to support the last against the pull of the apron, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

1'7. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an in sole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, power operated means for moving said apron heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last and for thereafter moving said apron inwardly over the insole, means arranged by engagement with the bottom face of the insole to support the last against the pull of the apron, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

18. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, a pair of holddowns adjustable lengthwise of the last to accommodate lasts of different sizes and movable toward the last into engagement with the bottom face of the insole and the overlaid margin of the upper at the opposite ends of the last, means for locking said holddowns in workengaging positions, cam-controlled means for moving said apron relatively to the last in a direction to cause said apron by frictional contact with the upper to work it heightwise of the last and for thereafter moving said apron inwardly over the insole, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

19. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, members for engaging the bottom face of the insole and the overlaid margin of the upper at opposite ends of the last, power operated means for moving the apron relatively to said members in a direction heightwise of the last to cause said apron by frictional contact with the upper to draw it tightly over the last, said means being arranged thereafter to move the apron inwardly over the insole at opposite sides of the last, and fluid pressure means for operating said apron to lay and press the marginal portion of the upper against the insole.

20. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, carriers for supporting the apron at the opposite sides of the last and movable bodily upward to stretch the apron over the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last, said carriers being movable also inwardly over the insole each about an axis located below the last to increase the tension of the apron about the last, abutments for supporting the last against the pull of the apron, and fluid pressure means for operating said apron to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

21. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, members for engaging the bottom face of the insole at opposite ends of the last, a pair of levers for supporting the apron at the opposite sides of the last, power-operated means for moving said levers bodily upward to stretch the apron over the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last and for thereafter swinging saidlevers inwardly over the insole about an axis located below the last to increase the tension of the apron about the last, and fluid pressure means for operating said apron to lay and press the margin of the upper inwardly over the insole.

22. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, a pair of levers mounted for swinging movements toward and from each other each about an axis located below the last for supporting the apron at the sides of the last; power operated means for swinging said levers toward each other to carry the apron inwardly over the insole, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

. 23. In a lasting machine, a pair of levers, a flexible elastic apron supported by said levers and shaped to provide a sling-like support for a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon, said apron being arranged to act on the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, power operated means for moving said levers bodily upward to stretch the apron over the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last and for swinging said levers toward each other to carry the apron inwardly over the insole, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay and press the margin of the upper inwardly over the insole.

24. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, a pair of levers mounted for swinging movements toward and from each other each about an axis located below the last for supporting the apron at the sides of the last, power operated means for moving said levers bodily upward to stretch the apron over the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last, a holddown for supporting the last against the pull of the apron, camcontrolled means for swinging said levers toward each other at the completion of their upward movements to carry the apron inwardly over the insole, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

25. In a lasting machine, a flexible elastic apron arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, holddowns for engaging the bottom face of the insole and the overlaid margin of the upper at opposite ends of the last, a pair of levers mounted for swinging movements toward and from each other each'about an axis located below the last for supporting the apron at the sides of the last, toggles for imparting to said levers their swinging movements, power operated means for moving said levers bodily upward to stretch the apron over the last to conform the upper tightly to the contour of the last, cam-controlled means for operating said toggles to swing the levers toward each other to carry the apron inwardly over the insole, and means for operating said apron by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole.

26. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of elastic material arranged to extend across the top face of a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heelend portions, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said lasting member and the last heightwise of the last to cause said lasting member to draw the upper tightly over the last and for thereafter moving said lasting member inwardly over the insole, means movable with said lasting member into position over the insole to confine said lasting member against excessive expansion in directions heightwise of the last away from the insole, and fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member during said relative heightwise movement to increase its pressure on the upper and for thereafter further expanding said lasting member after it has been moved inwardly over the insole to cause it to press the marginal portion of the upper upon the insole.

2'7. In a lasting machine an expansible lasting member of elastic material arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to extend lengthwise of the last between its toe and heelend portions, carriers for supporting said lasting members at the sides of the last and movable relatively to the last to stretch the lasting member over the last in a direction to work the upper heightwise of the last, said carriers being movable also toward each other to move the lasting member inwardly over the insole, members arranged to be moved into interlocking relation to each other by the inward movement of the carriers to confine said lasting member against excessive expansion in directions heightwise of the last away from the insole, and fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member to cause it to press the marginal portion of the upper upon the insole.

. 28. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of elastic material arranged to support a last bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to extend lengthwise of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, carriers for supporting said lasting member at the sides of the last, power operated means for moving said carriers to stretch the lasting member over the last to work the upper heightwise of the last and for thereafter moving said carriers toward each other to move the upper portions of the lasting member at opposite sides of the last inwardly over the insole, members arranged to be moved into interlocking relation with each other by the inward movement of the carriers to confine the inwardly disposed upper portions of said lasting member against excessive expansion in directions heightwise of the last away from the insole, and fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member to cause it to press the marginal portion of the upper upon the insole.

29. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to extend across the top face of a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at opposite sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the shape \of the last, means for effecting relative movement of said member and the last heightwise of the last to cause said member by frictional contact with the upper to work the upper tightly over the last, and means for controlling the admission and exhaust of pressure fluid to and from said member.

30. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of flexible elastic material arranged to extend across the top face of a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member to conform the upper to the shape of the last, cam-controlled means for effecting relative movement of said lasting member and the last heightwise of the last to cause said member by frictional contact with the upper to draw it tightly over the last, and means operating in time relation to said lastnamed means for connecting said fluid pressure means to said lasting member substantially at the beginning of such relative movement.

31. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of flexible elastic material arranged to extend across the top face of a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, a holddown for engaging the bottom face of the insole, power operated means for moving said lasting member relatively to said holddown heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last, fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member to conform it to the shape of the last and to cause it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole, and means arranged to act automatically to connect said fluid pressure means to said lasting member substantially at the beginning of its heightwise movement.

32. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of flexible elastic material arranged to extend across the top face of a last with an upper and an insole thereon and to engage the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, a holddown for engaging the bottom face of the insole at opposite ends of the last, cam-controlled means for imparting to said lasting member a movement heightwise of the last to cause it by frictional contact with the upper to draw the upper tightly over the last and for thereafter moving said lasting member inwardly over the insole, fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting member to increase its pressure on the upper and to cause it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it upon the insole, automatic means for connecting said fluid pressure means to said lasting member, and a valve adjustable to regulate the flow of pressure fluid to the lasting member.

33. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon, said lasting member being expansible by fluid pressure to conform the upper to the contour of the last, mechanism for moving said member relatively to the last in a direction heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last, and automatic means for supplying pressure fluid to said member in time relation to its heightwise movement.

34. In a lasting machine, flexible lasting means arranged to act frictionally on an upper at opposite sides of a last to work the upper heightwise of the last before its marginal portion is laid inwardly over an insole on the last, said means being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the contour of the last, fluid pressure means for expanding said lasting means, automatic means for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said lasting means, and means for adjustably varying the flow of said pressure fluid.

35. In a lasting machine, a, flexible lasting member arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper against the last to conform it to the shape of the last, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said member and the last heightwise of the last to cause said member by frictional contact with the upper to draw it tightly over the last, and means for supplying pressure fluid to said member.

36. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member arranged to act frictionally on an upper at opposite sides of a last to work the upper heightwise of the last before its marginal portion is laid inwardly over an insole on the last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the contour of the last, automatic means for admitting pressure fluid to said member and for releasing it therefrom, and adjustable means for varying the flow of said pressure fluid.

37. In a lasting machine, a, flexible lasting member arranged to support a last presented by the operator bottom upward with an upper and an insole thereon and to act on the upper at the sides of the last between its toe and heel-end portions, said lasting member being expansible by fluid pressure to conform the upper to the contour of the last, mechanism for moving said member relatively to the last in a direction heightwise of the last to draw the upper tightly over the last, and automatic means for supplying pressure fluid to said member substantially at the beginning of its heightwise movement.

38. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member arranged to act frictionally on an upper to Work the upper heightwise of a last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper against the last to conform it to the shape of the last while working the upper over the last, a valve for admitting pressure fluid to" said member, and automatic means for opening said valve.

39. In a lasting machine, an expansible lasting member of elastic material arranged to act frictionally on an upper at the sides of a last to Work the upper heightwise of the last, fluid pressure means for expanding said member to conform the upper to the shape of the last and for thereafter further expanding said member to cause it to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last, a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid, and automatic means for opening said valve.

40. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to act frictionally on an upper at the sides of a last to work the upper heightwise of the last in response to relative movement of the member and the last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to force the upper into conformity to the shape and the last during said relative movement and thereafter to lay its marginal portion inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon A the insole, means for supplying pressure fluid to said lasting member, and a valve for regulating the flow of pressure fluid from said supply means to the lasting member.

41. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to act frictionally on an upper at the sides of a last to work the upper heightwise of the last and expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the shape of the last and then to lay its marginal portion inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole, a valve for supplying pressure fluid to said member, means for opening said valve, and a second valve for regulating the flow of pressure fluid to the lasting member.

42. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to engage an upper frictionally at the side of a last and to work the upper heightwise of the last in response to relative movement of the member and the last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to press the upper into conformity to the contour of the last and to lay its marginal portion inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole, a conduit connected to said lasting member, a second conduit connected to a source of supply of pressure fluid, means for connecting said conduits, a valve at the point of connection for controlling the flow of pressure fluid, and means for opening said valve when the connection has been established.

43. In a lasting machine, a flexible lasting member of elastic material arranged to engage an upper frictionally at the side of a last and to work the upper heightwise of the last in response to relative movement of the member and the last, said member being expansible by fluid pressure to lay the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole, a conduit connected to saidlasting member, a second conduit connected to a source of supply of pressure fluid, means for connecting said conduits, a valve at the point of connection for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from said source of supply, means for opening said valve when the connection has been established, and a second valve adjustable to regulate the flow of pressure fluid to said lasting member.

ROY W. CUMlVHNGS. LLOYD G. KNOWLES. ANDREW EPPLER, JR. 

